Overland boys basketball will make a return trip to the 5A title game. More photos. (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)
BOULDER – It’s only fitting that two rivals who know each other so well will decide the Class 5A state championship.
Overland’s 72-50 victory over Chatfield on Friday night plugged the last piece of the puzzle into the title picture. The Trailblazers will have the opportunity to defend their championship Saturday night at Coors Events Center, but first they’ll have to get past Centennial League foe Eaglecrest in the third meeting of the two teams this season.
The squads split the regular-season series.
“The job (Raptors coach John Olander has) done this year, it has me in awe. I’m absolutely amazed at the job he’s done,” Overland coach Danny Fisher said. “For it to be us two here, it’s special. We’re going to go out and try and beat each other’s heads in (Saturday), but I’m really, really proud of his team and our league for being here like we are.”
Overland (24-3) jumped all over Chatfield in the first half, taking control early and never relinquishing that edge. The Trailblazers led 19-8 after one quarter and had a commanding 36-15 lead at halftime, thanks to a strong defensive showing that forced the Chargers (24-3) out of their game.
“We just really wanted to get them out of rhythm a little bit,” Fisher said. “They’re a team that runs that sideline break really well, so we wanted to disrupt their rhythm and really get them kind of second-guessing themselves as much as we could.”
De’Ron Davis finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Chatfield struggled to find a way around the 6-foot-10 post, eventually kicking the ball out and trying to drive the lane when Davis wasn’t in its path.
“De’Ron’s a big player in the paint. He’s the big boy,” said Overland senior Alijah Halliburton, who also had 15 points. “When he gets a block, we just push it up and just run. It’s a big play that turns into a bigger play.”
Jervae Robinson added 14 points for Overland, Reggie Gibson chipped in with 11 and Padiet Wang finished with 10 points.
“That’s just how our guys play – super unselfish,” Fisher said. “Padiet comes off the bench to be in double figures, just unselfish basketball. These seniors have been such a joy to coach.”
Cameron Pearson led Chatfield with 10 points and Joe Miks added eight. The Chargers, who were making their first appearance in the state semifinals, tried to put a dent into Overland’s lead with a 24-point third quarter. The Trailblazers countered though by scoring 23 points of their own.
The opportunity to defend its title is something Overland has been seeking since practice began in November.
“This is an honor. A lot of people don’t even get a chance to even go to a state title game, honestly,” Halliburton said. “It’s just a pleasure to be going back-to-back. I respect that and I’m definitely going to work everything I have toward that.”
Eaglecrest defeated the Trailblazers 57-45 back on Jan. 8, but Overland returned the favor less than a month later with a 63-41 victory.
Overland is riding a 12-game winning streak over the past two months.
“This was the goal we set from the beginning of the season. We felt like we had a really good chance to be back in that game (Saturday) and it’s really been a process. The season’s had its ups and downs,” Fisher said. “We’ve had to make adjustments and we’ve gotten punched in the mouth a couple times, but to get through all of it and be back here, we’re pretty excited.”